Kurai jinja

The word "Kurai," used in both the shrine's name and the place name, originally meant "a place where gods dwell." This originates from the belief that the shrine's deity, Takeminakata no Mikoto, once resided here.

The shrine is located in a quiet village surrounded by fields, with a small hill and cedar grove behind it. A red torii gate stands out against the fields and road.

Passing through the red Ryobu torii and the concrete Myojin torii, a 5-meter stone staircase leads to the shrine. The worship hall, with its red roof, is typical of northern Nagano. Originally thatched, the roof was later covered with red metal sheets, common in this snowy region.

The main hall, rebuilt in 1848 after the Zenkoji earthquake, is enclosed and not visible. The current building is the result of several relocations.